CHAPTER XXVI
CASSIDY CATCHES NED
A systematic search of the lodging houses was begun that afternoon. Butit was harder and more baffling work than any one had imagined.
John Newton gave them unexpected aid. As he had much time to himself heoffered to go with them to the different lodging houses in the evenings,and give his whistling imitations of birds.
"What good will that do?" asked Bart. "Does he think Ned will hear himand come from hiding?"
"Not that," explained Fenn, to whom John had told his scheme. "But whenhe's whistling there's sure to be a crowd around him, and, if Ned is inthe place, he'll join the others and we may see him. I think it's a goodplan."
The others did also, and, for several evenings John amused the inmatesof the lodging houses with his whistling. As Fenn had said, crowdsgathered about him, and the three chums looked eagerly through them fora sight of Ned.
It was perhaps one of the best plans the boys could have adopted, for intheir eagerness to hear the "Bird Warbler" the unfortunate lads and menwho were forced to the shelter of the places crowded close up aroundJohn Newton. In this way Bart and his companions could scrutinize atshort range nearly every person in the throng.
"Aren't you getting tired of it?" asked Bart one evening when they werestarting out for a large lodging house on the Bowery.
"I don't mind it a bit," replied John. "I'd do more than this to helpfind Ned. Besides, it's a good advertisement for me. You see the fellowsin these places hear me, and when they see my name on the theatricalbill boards they'll come in. You can't get too much advertising whenyou're an actor," and John looked quite important.
There was a larger crowd than usual in the lodging house that night.John made his way to the front of the room. At first no one paid anyattention to the entrance of himself and his friends. But, as soon asJohn began an imitation of a mocking bird, there was a stir.
"That sounds just like it used to when I was a boy!" exclaimed an oldman. "Many and many's the mornin' I've heard them birds. Can you do asong-sparrow imitation, sonny?"
"Sure," replied John, and he trilled some sweet high notes.
"My but that's fine!"
From that John proceeded to imitate a robin and a bob-o-link. He hadscarcely finished with the last before there was a stir in one corner ofthe room. It seemed as if some one was trying to get out.
"Maybe Ned's there!" exclaimed Bart to Fenn. "Go over and take a look."
Fenn edged his way through the crowd, but found, instead of some onetrying to get out, it was a man trying to make his way closer to wherethe whistler was. From his appearance the man seemed to have justawakened from a sound sleep on a couple of chairs.
"Where are they?" he exclaimed. "Let me get at 'em!"
"What's the matter?" asked several.
"I want to catch those birds!" the recently awakened sleeper said,rubbing his eyes. "I can put 'em in cages and sell 'em. I haven't madeany money lately, now's my chance. Get out of my way, can't you? I usedto trap birds when I was a boy. These are fine singers."
John had not yet caught sight of the man making his way toward him. The"Warbler" was giving an imitation of a blackbird, and he managed to sendout his notes with such skill that it really sounded as if the bird wasin a different part of the room from where the whistler stood. The notesappeared to come from a window in the corner.
"I can get him! Look out!" cried the man.
He made a dash for the window, and at that, John, who was now aware ofwhat was going on, changed the whistling to the notes of a bluebird.
This time the tones were so directed as to seem to come from a window onthe other side of the room, and the man turned to make a dash in thatdirection.
"Why, there's two birds!" he exclaimed. "I'll catch 'em all!"
No sooner had he reached the second window than John changed the tune tothat made by a bullfinch, and the man, listening, thought the bird wasin the back of the apartment. He made his way there, the crowd partingto let him through, and laughing, the meanwhile, at the deluded man'sactions.
John was concealed from view by the throng packed close about him, orthe man would have discovered the trick at once. As it was he thoughtsure there were several birds in the room. When he got to the rear thenotes of the feathered songster seemed more distinct than ever. The manclimbed up on a chair to peer behind the window curtain, and, as he didso, John, whose vocal abilities were not alone limited to birds, let outa croak like a big frog.
"That's no bird!" exclaimed the man in disgust, as the crowd broke intoa laugh at him. "Am I dreaming or what's the matter? Is this placehaunted?"
Then he caught sight of John, who was just puckering up his lips toagain imitate a bird.
"Oh, it's you, is it?" the man exclaimed. "Well you're a good one, allright, to fool me. I used to live in the woods and I know birds prettywell."
"That's where I learned to imitate 'em; in the woods," said John, gladof a chance to rest, for his lips and mouth were aching from the strain.
"Can you whistle tunes?" the man asked him.
"A little."
"Give us some music then. I like a good jolly song; and we'll join inthe chorus."
Then John poured forth his melody in a series of popular songs, for hewas a good whistler, aside from his power to mimic, and, for half anhour the lodging house rang with the voices of the men, led by John'sshrill notes.
All this while Bart and the others kept a close lookout for Ned. Theydid not see him, and, when it was evident that all the inmates of theplace had come under their scrutiny, the boys left, their missionunsuccessful. And so it was for several evenings.
Meanwhile Ned, all unconscious of the search being made for him, waspuzzling his brains as to what he had better do. He was in no immediatedanger of starving, as there were several snowstorms, and he earnedenough to pay for his room and live frugally. Still he knew his fatherand chums would worry but he did not feel he dare communicate with them.He bought the papers each day, and saw several references to theswindling operations of Skem & Skim. They had not been arrested yet, itstated, and search was being made for them and for a young fellow whowas believed to have helped them in their operations by dealing in anumber of shares of oil stock.
"That means me," thought Ned, as he read it. "I've got to lay low yet."
So he went his weary way, fearing arrest every moment, yet feeling rathersecure now that a week had passed and he had not been apprehended. Hefound several odd jobs to do when there was no snow to shovel and somanaged to make enough to live on.
The four boys and Mr. Wilding kept up their search. The police andprivate detectives did what they could but to no purpose. Personals wereinserted in the papers, begging Ned to communicate with his father, butNed never thought of looking for them.
One afternoon, William, who had adopted the plan of walking about thestreets in the hope of seeing Ned, whom he knew by description and aphotograph, paused in front of a commission store, where a youth abouthis own age was helping to move boxes of oranges from a truck. Somethingabout the lad attracted William's attention.
"I wonder if that's Ned?" he said to himself. "He looks just like theboys told me he would and like that photograph Mr. Wilding had. Still Iwouldn't like to make a mistake. I must get closer."
He pretended to be searching for a number on the building, and soapproached near to the boy helping unload the crates.
"I'll bet it is Ned," William said to himself with conviction. "I'mgoing to ask him. He can't any more than say no."
He sauntered up to the young fellow, and, with an air of unconcernasked:
"Do you know anyone around here named Ned Wilding? I'm looking for him."
The boy, carrying a crate of oranges, jumped so he almost dropped thefruit. Then he looked sharply at William. His face grew pale, andWilliam was sure he had found Ned.
"I haven't got time to talk," was the rather gruff answer made by theboy with the crate. "I'm busy," and then he hurried into the store
withthe box.
"Fooled again," thought William. He waited until the boy came out again,and this time he was sure it was the missing youth. But now he decidedon a different plan.
"Evidently, if it is Ned, he doesn't want to be known," thought William."Something's gone wrong with him. My only chance is in getting some ofhis chums here to identify him. I must telephone to one of them. Theymay be at the hotel. If not I'll leave word for them to come here assoon as they get back. Mr. Wilding too! I must 'phone him! Then I'llremain on the watch until some one arrives."
There was a telephone pay-station across the street, and William senthis two messages from there. Neither of the three chums was in, nor wasMr. Wilding, but at both hotels the clerks said they would deliver themessages promptly.
"Now to wait until they come," said William as he left the booth.
Just then, as he was looking at the boy, who was still carrying in thecrates, he saw a big man with a red moustache approach him. William wasnot near enough to hear what the man said, but he noted that the boyseemed frightened.
"Ah I've caught you, haven't I?" exclaimed the man, and Ned (for asWilliam suspected the boy carrying in the oranges was the missing youth)looked up with a start. "I'll teach you to steal my money and run away."
He grabbed Ned by the arm and shook him roughly.
"I didn't take your money, Mr. Cassidy!" exclaimed the boy, as herecognized the lodging house keeper.
"What did you run away for? I'm on to your game. Now you can come alongwith me and work out what you stole from me, or I'll hand you over tothe first officer I meet. What are you going to do?"
What was poor Ned to do? He was in dire straits. Still it seemed betterto go with Cassidy than to make a scene on the street and be arrested.He wanted that least of all things.
"I'll go with you," he said, "though you have no right to make me, and Ididn't take your money."
"What's the matter?" asked the fruit man, who had hired Ned to assist inunloading the truck.
"Nothing much," replied Cassidy. "This lad owes me some money and I'llmake him work it out."
"That's your affair," the fruit man replied. "He's earned half a dollarworking for me. Here it is."
He was about to hand it to Ned, but Cassidy took it.
"I'll apply that on account," he said grimly, as he marched Ned away.
The whole affair had occurred so suddenly that Ned did not know whatto do. He was in a sort of dream. The appearance of Cassidy, theconfiscation of the half dollar and the lodging house keeper's evidentintention of holding the boy to account for a theft he had nevercommitted, made Ned think he was doomed to misfortune, no matter whathe did to avoid it.
Then followed a natural desire to escape. He knew Cassidy had no rightto take him into custody, and he felt the injustice of it keenly. Theman held him loosely by the coat sleeve, and marched him along throughthe streets. Several persons turned to look at the spectacle, but no oneventured to interfere. New Yorkers have formed the habit of not takingmuch interest in affairs that do not concern them directly.
As they were crossing a narrow street in one of the thickly settledtenement districts a horse, attached to a wagon, and rapidly driven,bore down on them. Ned, with the instinct of a quick runner, started todash ahead. Cassidy, who moved slower, pulled back toward the curb, tolet the steed pass. The movement separated Ned from his captor, forCassidy's hold on the boy's sleeve was broken. Ned was free!
The horse and wagon was now between him and the man. The boy gave ahasty glance back, and saw Cassidy standing on the crossing, ready todash forward as soon as the wagon should pass. He could not go around itbecause of vehicles on either side.
"Here's my chance!" exclaimed Ned as he dashed forward and ran down theother side of the street.
An instant later the wagon had passed and Cassidy was after him. Butthe start Ned had he used to good advantage. He was fleet of foot and hehad an object in making speed, such as he had never had before. Somewhatto his surprise Cassidy did not shout to him to stop, and made nooutcry.
"I wonder if he's afraid to let people know he's after me?" thought Ned.
The truth of it was, Cassidy wanted to save his breath for running.Also, he did not want to raise too much disturbance in his pursuit ofNed. He knew he had no right to take the boy into custody, and, thoughhe knew he could cause his arrest on the false charge, that would notbring back the money Cassidy thought Ned had stolen. It was the money,or its equivalent, the lodging house keeper was after.
So he decided to try to catch Ned without aid from outside sources ifpossible. With this in view he started after the fugitive without raisingan alarm, though the streets were well filled.
Ned made good time. He speeded down the thoroughfare until he came towhere another intersected it, and turned the corner. This put him out ofCassidy's view.
The second street was not so thronged as the one he had just left, andNed had a chance to run better. But there was this disadvantage, that hewas more closely observed. On the crowded avenue a running lad attractslittle attention, but when more plainly in sight, as Ned now was, hebecomes an object of interest.
As he ran he looked back over his shoulder to see if Cassidy was insight. Past several houses Ned kept on, and his pursuer did not appeararound the corner. Then, just as he came in front of a big tenementhouse Ned saw Cassidy some distance in the rear.
"I guess I'll go in here!" thought the boy. "Maybe I can slip out of theback before he gets here and that will fool him. I'm going to try!"
He darted into the hallway, but, before he had gone three steps hecollided with an old man who, at that instant, was coming from his roominto the corridor. The shock threw the old man down, and Ned couldscarcely retain his balance.
"Excuse me!" he exclaimed, pausing, when he had recovered hisequilibrium, to help the aged man to his feet. "I'm sorry," and thenhe started to run through the hallway.
"Here! Vait a minute!" the man exclaimed. "Are you tryin' to rob me? Idinks you are a t'eef! Hold on! Vait until I see if you haf taken myvatch!"
"I haven't taken anything of yours!" cried Ned. "I'm in a hurry!"
He was almost at the end of the hall, and saw that it opened into a sortof court. Abutting on that was another tenement.
"Vait! You vas a t'eef!" cried the old man, and he set up such a yellingthat doors on either side of the corridor opened, and men and women stucktheir heads forth, all demanding to know what the matter was.
"I'm done for now!" thought Ned. "If Cassidy comes past here he'll besure to hear the excitement, and they'll tell him I ran through!"
Still he determined not to give up. He dashed on into the court, leavingbehind the aged man who was now the centre of an excited throng.
"He vos a t'eef! He knocked me down! He vouldn't vait until I looked tosee if I am robbed!" was the burden of the aged one's cry. "Call depolice! He vos a t'eef!"
Ned ran across the open space and into the other tenement house. Thehallway there seemed deserted, but he knew it would not be so long, whenthe cries from the other house had aroused the inmates.
"If I can only get through the corridor, and into the other street I canfool Cassidy," Ned reasoned. "I seem to be having all my bad luck atonce."
He had almost reached the front door, for it was the back entrance ofthe structure that he had gone in, and he thought he saw freedom beforehim, when there sounded behind him a cry of:
"Stop thief! Stop thief!"
This is enough to arouse excitement anywhere, but in a New York tenementnothing can sooner be calculated to draw the inmates from their rooms,than such an alarm, unless, indeed, it be one of fire.
No sooner had the first cry resounded through the corridor than the hallwas swarming with people. Ned found his way blocked, the more effectuallywhen one woman ran to the front door and closed it.
"I've caught you!" she exclaimed. "I'll teach you to rob honest people,even if they are poor!"
"I haven't robbed anybody!" cried Ned, as he saw the thro
ng in front ofhim, and heard the tramp of many feet in his rear.
"Stop him! Hold him!" cried half a score.
Ned looked about him. There seemed to be no way of escape. He wasstanding near the flight of stairs leading to the upper stories of thesecond tenement. There was a little clear space in front of him, as thecrowd before him was composed mostly of women, who were a little timidabout approaching too closely to a "thief" even if he was only a lad.
"I'm going to chance it," thought Ned. "If I can get to the roof I cancross to some other house, and go down a scuttle hole, perhaps, and soreach the street. Or I can hide until the excitement blows over."
With this in mind he suddenly grasped the balustrade near which he was.With a jump and a swing he was over it and part way up the stairs. Thenhe began to run, while the crowd below him, surprised at his suddenescape, set up a chorus of yells.
But Ned had a good start. He took the steps three at a time, and wassoon at the top. Then he essayed the next flight, and so on until hefound himself on the roof, which was a big, wide stretch of tin. It wasused as a place for hanging out clothes, and was easy of access from thetop hallway.
Below him Ned could hear the shouts and cries, and the tramp of manyfeet.
"Which way shall I go?" he asked himself, as he paused for an instant."Guess it can't make much difference."
He turned to the left and ran along until he came to a stairway severalhouses further along. The door of this was open, and he went down. Hehad fairly distanced his pursuers, for none of them were yet on theroof.
"I'll get to the street and leave 'em behind," the boy reasoned."Everyone will be in the house looking for me, and the street will bedeserted."
In this Ned was almost right, for when, after hurrying down severalflights of stairs, he reached the thoroughfare, the only person in sightin the immediate neighborhood was a colored man putting in coal. Heseemed to be so busily engaged that he had no time to waste in pursuit,so, after a hasty glance from the front door of the tenement, Ned wentout.
But in this he reckoned without his host. The colored man, looking upfrom his shoveling, saw Ned. The lad's wild and disheveled appearanceraised the man's suspicions. Besides he had heard of the chase after thethief.
"I'll cotch you!" he cried, leaping from his wagon. "I'll get you!"
Ned, who was, by this time, running past where the coal wagon was backedup to the curb, turned out to avoid the negro, who, with outstretchedarms was advancing toward him. In his anxiety to avoid the coal man,Ned did not notice an open hole down which the black diamonds were beingshoveled. Before he could save himself he had plunged into it.
Lucky for the boy the cellar underneath was almost full, the coal comingto within a few feet of the sidewalk, so when Ned toppled in he onlywent down a little ways. There he was, his head and shoulders stickingup above the pavement, while his feet and legs were buried in the pileof coal underneath.
"Now I've got you!" yelled the colored man, as he ran up to Ned, andhauled him from the hole. "I've got you! What'd you steal?"
"I didn't steal anything," Ned answered. "It's all a mistake. Please letme go!"
"Hold him!" cried Cassidy, appearing at that moment from the frontentrance of the house, up the stairs of which Ned had dashed a fewminutes before. "Don't let him get away!"
"He'll not get away," replied the negro.
Cassidy came up and took charge of Ned. Quite a crowd gathered, but thelodging house keeper answered none of the many questions asked him.
"Guess he's a detective," was the general whisper that went around, andCassidy did not correct it.
"You come with me!" he said to Ned. "Don't try any of your tricks again,or it'll be the worse for you."
And he marched Ned off.